Supervisors are elected to serve the citizens

I have been proud to call Pocono Township home since 1985, until several ago months when the civility and good will that had reigned in township affairs came to an abrupt end.

Pennsylvania local government is designed to have majority/minority representation on boards with the balance shifting over time. Minority supervisors would speak their views, but understood they would often not prevail. Often, all were in agreement as to the best course of action.

When Frank Hess came on board as a minority supervisor, he griped from day one about things that were not to his liking. He felt left out of some discussions, but acknowledged he normally left the township building around 3:30 p.m., a time at which one would expect Supervisor Werkheiser to be out tending to roads.

As secretary/treasurer, Jane Cilurso had grown into her job as the township grew and responsibilities grew more complicated. Recognizing this, she recommended the township appoint a town manager as she prepared to retire. Hess rallied opposition to this idea and it was voted down. He stepped into the role and soon after quietly recommended we hire a town administrator — in essence, a town manager.

Harold Werkheiser had served on road crew before becoming roadmaster and stepped into the position well prepared and responsive to citizen concerns. When Hess became the majority, he saw this as an opportunity to settle old scores, fired Werkheiser, and appointed newcomer Henry Bengel, who knew nothing about roads. The ensuing uproar ended with Bengel's resignation. Now, some citizens want to change our status, much to Hess' dismay.

I hope Mr. Hess matures soon and realizes this is not his fiefdom, nor his chance to settle grudges, but that he was elected to serve the citizens of Pocono Township.